Sunday, April 7, 2013

Jets forcing Revis to participate in voluntary workouts

The New York Jets are once again forcing the hand of their star cornerback Darrelle Revis and, from the looks of things, this relationship is beyond repair.

The team is requiring Revis to report to voluntary workouts — that's voluntary — that begin April 15, according to ESPN.com., despite the fact they may trade him in the following days.

Revis is currently in Arizona rehabilitating his surgically repaired left knee. Revis planned on coming to New Jersey to meet with the team's doctors on April 15, but then return to Arizona to avoid being a distraction as the team tries to trade him, said sources.

The cornerback's name has been tossed around in trade talks all winter and many people around the league believe a deal will get done in the days before the NFL Draft on April 25 — barring complications of his rehabbed knee.

The Jets have been toying all off season with Revis — the best player on the team — and haven't made it clear what they plan to do with him. But this time, the Jets can force Revis' hand because he has $3 million tied up in bonuses that they can refuse to pay if he misses part of the offseason program. With that kind of money on the line, Revis will reluctantly make the trip to New Jersey next week, according to the website, and he is not happy about it.

As part of his 2010 contract, Revis has to report to offseason activities. He has a $1 million bonus that was activated in March, but paid at a later date, and other workout bonuses to be paid in June and July. If he doesn't report, he loses the entire $3 million. Simple as that.

The Jets declined comment. But it is pretty well known, according to sources, that owner Woody Johnson doesn't want to sign Revis to a long-term deal.

If you think those SOS signals are coming from Revis Island — you're wrong. It's from the Jets fans.